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Senate lawmakers sent a letter to MLB’s commissioner demanding answers about how the league “addresses alleged manipulation of the game and threats to the integrity of baseball.”
The Senate Commerce Committee, led by Chairman Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Ranking Member Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., sent the letter to Manfred Monday more than a week after Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz were indicted for their alleged roles in a gambling scheme.
Cruz and Cantwell also raised questions with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver after three league figures were arrested for their roles in separate schemes.
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MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred opens the MLB Draft at the Coca-Cola Roxy on July 13, 2025. (Brett Davis/Imagn Images)
In the letter, lawmakers highlighted the case of former Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Tucupita Marcano. He was banned for life for placing nearly 400 bets on baseball games. MLB said at the time that 25 bets involved betting on Pirates games while Marcano was on the list. The Pirates said there was “no evidence” that the games were compromised.
“Which begs the question: How did MLB catch Marcano and ban him for life, but fail to notice that Clase allegedly fixed the pitches for two years? The integrity of the game is paramount. MLB has a vested interest in ensuring that baseball is free from influence and manipulation,” the letter read. “As Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Commerce Committee, we share this interest. But in light of these recent developments, MLB must clearly demonstrate how it is fulfilling its responsibility to safeguard America’s pastime. To that end, as detailed below, we are asking MLB to provide documentation and information on how it is responding to the allegations against Clase and Ortiz, as well as its broader approach to preventing manipulation in sports.
“An isolated incident of game-fixing might be considered an aberration, but the emergence of manipulation across multiple leagues suggests a deeper systemic vulnerability. These developments warrant further scrutiny by Congress before problems of misconduct become widespread.”
The committee is asking for answers to six questions by December 5.
CONGRESS SEEKS ANSWERS FROM NBA COMMISSIONER AMID GAMBLING SCANDAL
Emmanuel Clase, left, and Luis Ortiz, were indicted in a federal gambling investigation on November 9, 2025. (IMAGINE)
- “How and when was MLB informed of suspicious betting and game manipulation activities by Emmanuel Clase or Luis Ortiz? Provide sufficient documentation to support your response?
- “Provide sufficient documentation to show MLB’s policies and procedures relating to sports betting, gambling, or games fixed by MLB or an affiliated team’s players, coaches, employees, or owners.
- “List any investigation of players, coaches, employees or owners of an MLB or affiliated team for violations of MLB rules relating to sports betting, gambling or game-fixing or any related criminal conduct between January 1, 2020 and the present.
- “Provide all documents related to any investigation listed in response to Request 3, including: “Procedures and policies used to conduct any relevant investigation; » Documents received by third parties or otherwise collected by MLB in the course of any relevant investigation; and “Findings, conclusions and actions taken following any relevant investigation.”
- “Procedures and policies used to conduct any relevant investigation;
- “Documents received by third parties or otherwise collected by MLB in the course of any relevant investigation; And
- “Findings, conclusions and actions taken following any relevant investigation.
- “Ensuring communications between MLB and any sports betting platform or sports gaming integrity monitor regarding suspicious or reported sports bets:” Placed by players, coaches, employees or owners of MLB or an affiliated team; or”Placed on MLB games or propositions related to MLB games, players or teams.
- “Placed by players, coaches, employees or owners of MLB or an affiliated team; or
- “Placed on MLB games or propositions related to MLB games, players or teams.
- “Explain the extent to which MLB has addressed and plans to further address cases of alleged sports betting, gambling, and game-fixing that have occurred, including: “How, if at all, MLB plans to revise its rules, policies, procedures, or enforcement structure;
- “How, if at all, MLB plans to revise its rules, policies, procedures or enforcement structure;
- “How, if at all, MLB plans to revise or enforce its rules regarding cell phone use during games; and
- “How MLB plans to ensure players, employees, coaches and owners do not have ties to organized crime.”
PK Press Club Digital has contacted MLB for comment.
Clase and Ortiz were arrested and appeared in federal court in New York last week.
Clase, a three-time All-Star, has pleaded not guilty to charges that he took bribes to help players make money on his courts. Ortiz also pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Sen. Ted Cruz wrote the letter with Sen. Maria Cantwell. (Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images)
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Both men are expected to return to court on December 2.
